The pandemic has made evident the need to pay attention to mental health, not only individually, but also at the community level. In this sense, the school plays a fundamental role in promoting greater awareness and education about mental health care in the community.
How to talk about mental health in the classroom?
It is important to recognize that all members of the educational community are participants in generating a mentally healthy environment. It is not only the work of psychologists or psychiatrists, but we can all contribute to it.
However, often times it is difficult to talk about mental health, and it is necessary to create venues to do so. It is essential that the school be a place where one can talk naturally about cases where mental health is compromised, such as anxiety, panic attacks or depression, etc.
In addition, it is important to recognize and problematize the prejudices and misinformation that still exist regarding mental health. We must avoid associating mental health problems with weakness or considering them as “fads” or ways to attract attention. Generating venues to critically analyze these ideas will allow us to move towards a more empathetic and respectful understanding of mental health.
How to approach situations of self-harm?
In the event of detecting situations such as self-harm, it is important to talk with the student and let him/her know that he can count on you to promote his/her well-being. It is essential to focus on the desire to help before assessing or diagnosing the origin of the situation. It is also necessary to talk with the family to make sure they are aware of the situation and able to refer to professional help if necessary.
Moreover, it is important to talk about these issues in the classroom, even before such a case occurs, focusing on prevention. Bringing the topics into the classroom makes it easier for students to feel legitimately concerned about their mental health and that of other classmates who may be facing these situations.
It is fundamental to welcome the topic in the classroom promptly and calmly if a situation such as the case of self-harm or another has already occurred. Talking about it makes it easier for students to know that it is alright to seek help or that they may offer it, and that it’s very good for them to be interested in their mental health and that of the people that they know.
In conclusion, the prevention and care of mental health is a task that depends on everyone. Together we can make the school a sensitive ecosystem committed to well-being. It is necessary to generate venues to talk about these issues, to problematize prejudices and misinformation, to welcome cases in the classroom and promote prevention. The school has a fundamental role in promoting greater awareness and education about mental health care in the community. We invite you to visit the Wiese Foundation’s Educational Quality Program, where you will find resources and tools for supporting teachers in promoting mental health care in their schools. We encourage you to explore this valuable content that can contribute to the development of your teaching skills. Visit our program and be part of the educational transformation!
